East Hertfordshire

East Hertfordshire's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 140,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of East Hertfordshire increased by 6.8%, from almost 129,000 to 138,000.

The addition of just under 8,800 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, East Hertfordshire was home to, on average, 2.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older East Hertfordshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of East Hertfordshire increased by three years, from 37 to 40 years.

This growing rural area had a slightly higher average age than Eastof England and became slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 4,500 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 3,000.

About 17% of people in East Hertfordshire are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and East Hertfordshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More people living alone

East Hertfordshire saw Eastof England's largest rise in the proportion of one-person households.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (28%) households in East Hertfordshire had only one person, compared with 26% in 2001. The percentage of households comprising an unmarried couple increased from 9.5% to 11%.

Across the region, Dacorum saw the next largest increase in the proportion of one-person households (from 27% in 2001 to 29% in 2011).

The percentage of households with only one person was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that comprised only one person across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in East Hertfordshire

The percentage of East Hertfordshire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.0% to 2.5% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 6.9%, while the percentage of East Hertfordshire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 91%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in East Hertfordshire that rented privately increased from 8.2% to 13% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The percentage that lived in social housing remained close to 13%, while the percentage of East Hertfordshire households that owned their home decreased from 76% to 72%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in East Hertfordshire increased by 5 percentage points

Percentage of households in East Hertfordshire, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in East Hertfordshire

The percentage of single people in East Hertfordshire increased from 28% to 30% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in two (52%) people aged 16 and over said they were married, compared with 56% in 2001. The percentage of adults in East Hertfordshire that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 9.3% to 11%.

The proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 27% in 2001 to 31% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 30% to 35%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

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